CanFenerbahçe vs Beşiktaş: Turkish Cup Derby Opens with Key Injuries and High Stakes

The Turkish Cup Group C stage kicks off tonight with a monumental Istanbul derby. Fenerbahçe hosts arch-rival Beşiktaş at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. The match marks the 363rd meeting between these historic clubs.

Both teams enter the contest unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions. This Cup opener carries significant weight for knockout round qualification.

Historic Rivalry Meets Modern Cup Ambitions

Fenerbahçe holds a narrow lead in the all-time Süper Lig rivalry. They have 47 victories to Beşiktaş’s 42 wins. The cup competition tells a different story, however.

Beşiktaş boasts 11 Turkish Cup victories in direct matchups against Fenerbahçe’s 5. This historical edge adds intrigue to the Group C fixture. According to Reuters, derby matches often defy current form.

The teams last met in November 2025. Fenerbahçe secured a 3-2 league victory in that encounter. Momentum from that result may influence tonight’s tactical approach.

Injury Crisis Threatens Beşiktaş’s Attack

Beşiktaş faces significant selection headaches. Key winger Cengiz Ünder is out with a hamstring strain. His absence removes a primary creative threat.

Portuguese winger Jota Silva is also sidelined. He suffered an inner knee ligament tear. His return is not expected until early January.

Attacker Mustafa Hekimoğlu is doubtful with a muscle injury. This depletes Beşiktaş’s options in the final third. Coach Sergen Yalçın must find solutions from a limited squad.

Fenerbahçe has a comparatively clean bill of health. Manager Domenico Tedesco has nearly his full squad available. This allows for tactical flexibility and potential rotation.

Tactical Battle and Group Implications

Fenerbahçe’s home advantage is a major factor. Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium provides a formidable atmosphere. The team’s strong league position boosts confidence.

Tedesco favors a proactive, possession-based style. He will likely look to control the midfield tempo. Exploiting Beşiktaş’s weakened wings could be a key strategy.

Beşiktaş may adopt a more conservative, counter-attacking approach. Protecting their defense will be paramount. Set-pieces could become crucial offensive opportunities.

Securing three points is vital for both sides’ Cup aspirations. Group stage performance directly impacts knockout round seeding. A derby win also delivers a psychological boost for the league campaign.

The Turkish Cup derby hinges on Fenerbahçe’s ability to break down a resilient Beşiktaş side hampered by injuries. Expect a fiercely contested match where history and current form collide on the cup stage.

Info at your fingertips

What time is the Fenerbahçe vs Beşiktaş Turkish Cup match?

The match kicks off at 8:45 PM local time on December 23rd. It is being played at Fenerbahçe’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul.

Which key players are missing for Beşiktaş?

Beşiktaş will be without wingers Cengiz Ünder and Jota Silva due to injury. Attacker Mustafa Hekimoğlu is also a major doubt for the cup tie.

What is the historical record in Turkish Cup matches?

Beşiktaş has been more successful in cup meetings, winning 11 times. Fenerbahçe has 5 cup victories against their historic rivals.

What is at stake in this Group C opener?

Points are crucial for advancing to the knockout stages of the Turkish Cup. A win provides a strong start in the group and valuable momentum.

How have both teams performed recently?

Both Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions. They are in solid form heading into this derby clash.

Who won the last meeting between these teams?

Fenerbahçe won the most recent Süper Lig encounter 3-2 on November 2, 2025. That result may influence the tactical setup for this cup match.